US, Western Europe and Japan are developed nations, so the disparity is not so extreme. But even over here, comparison between the poorer african american neighborhoods like Chicago south side and Beverly Hills will clearly show the 2 sides.


Actually East Asia (Japan, Korea, Taiwan) has the best record for low income inequality. Latin America has the worst income inequality. But yes in general developing countries have higher income disparity then developed ones.

Say, you seem to have a pretty decent group of very sociable folks around you, in MSP. Sounds like my sister's crowd. Dawats every weekend. :)

Living here for almost 20 years, quite a few Bangladeshis are now our friends and acquaintances. Every weekend we get invited to at least 2-3 dawats and most of the time have to politely refuse. I'm trying to lose weight but it keeps finding me in these dawats :)

Coming back to the topic, another aspect of luxurious living in Bangladesh is, right next to your opulent home are eyesores in the form of potholed roads, multi-storied apartments casting a shadow all day, beggars and other undesirables etc. to name a few. So even with all the money, it's not possible to really live in total luxury.

I sometimes wonder why our posh areas couldn't be a little bit more fashionable with nice roads and some zoning laws. People with oodles of money live in these areas and I'm sure it would be to all their benefit if everyone pitched in to keep it nice and clean.

But yes in general developing countries have higher income disparity then developed ones.

Which is only natural...look at the US 100 years ago and you will see the same disparities, perhaps even more pronounced. All countries with a free market must progress through this phase, but if economic growth is sustained then in the long run it will mean a generally improved standard of life...

......

I sometimes wonder why our posh areas couldn't be a little bit more fashionable with nice roads and some zoning laws. People with oodles of money live in these areas and I'm sure it would be to all their benefit if everyone pitched in to keep it nice and clean.
Perhaps lack of awareness? I don't know what else to attribute it to. In Manila, Philippines, they have these gated communities where all the well to do live. Some of the largest ones like Dasmarinas Village, and Forbes Park (adjacent to each other and interconnected), are like little towns within the metro area. These "villages" are immaculately maintained. Garbage is collected daily. There are no high rise buildings, only very large single family dwellings. Most of the embassy residences are located in these two villages.

Perhaps lack of awareness? I don't know what else to attribute it to. In Manila, Philippines, they have these gated communities where all the well to do live. Some of the largest ones like Dasmarinas Village, and Forbes Park (adjacent to each other and interconnected), are like little towns within the metro area. These "villages" are immaculately maintained. Garbage is collected daily. There are no high rise buildings, only very large single family dwellings. Most of the embassy residences are located in these two villages.

Maybe it is the just laziness of us i.e Bangladeshis :lol: I mean, most of us see open trashes and potholed roads outside of our own apartments, then we come home, go to internet(skyscrapercity.com) and complain about this and how BD government is ineffective. Very few will actually take the initiative to talk to neighbors and try to raise some fund to fix the issues on their own. The concept of community building and being proactive is not part of our culture.. thus things like volunteering which are common in developed nations are completely absent back home. Infact when we go abroad, most of us carry the same outlook with us. I have seen very few Bangladeshis in U.S working in anything useful on weekends (be it participating in local fundraising or fixing homes of the underpriviledged). Most just chill (adda baji), watch tv and go for casual shopping... including myself :ohno:

How many expatriate Bangladeshis actually go back home and try to create a company ground-up? Most just buy an apartment, put money in savings account and go around complaining about government bureaucracy, how things are not streamlined.. problems with traffic, electricity and corruption. Whereas many foreigners have gone to lengths to establish business like Panigram, the whole land acquiring process described in the website seemed painful.

a house in banani photo taken by someone else
http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz66/dd2402/23737462.jpg

^^
is this real? :nuts: looks like a western house :P

this house is situated on the way from banani graveyard to gulshan..go check it yourself...

^^
does my location say I live in Dhaka? :P

The Banani house above looks very similar to a design I have seen in a ritzy party of Twin Cities. The basketball hoop tells me there might be a US connection to the owners. Overall, I like the design.

a house in banani photo taken by someone else


Wow! I didn't think there was any open spaces left in Banani, Gulshan area. No other structures appear to on either side of this house.

Is the architecture Mission/Spanish colonial type? These appear to be most popular in Southeast Asia. Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, in particular.

^^ Yeah, I'm a bit sceptical, especially since I've not seen anything quite in this style previously in Dhaka. Just because a photo is tagged with the word "Bangladesh" doesn't mean that it's from there (this photo comes from photobucket, unless I'm mistaken). But then again, there's not any reason why a house in this style couldn't be in BD... It would help to see a wider shot, with the house in its urban context.

^^ Yeah, I'm a bit sceptical, especially since I've not seen anything quite in this style previously in Dhaka. Just because a photo is tagged with the word "Bangladesh" doesn't mean that it's from there (this photo comes from photobucket, unless I'm mistaken). But then again, there's not any reason why a house in this style couldn't be in BD... It would help to see a wider shot, with the house in its urban context.
Now that you mention it, I'm skeptical as well. We need somebody on the ground to go check it out and take some more pictures. Guys in Dhaka, any volunteers? :)

i will try and get outside shots if i can..i know where it is but i dont think i could manage an entry pass into the property..if any one else wants a shot..its located on the way from banani graveyard link road towards gulshan 2..so much for skepticism..lol..

i will try and get outside shots if i can..i know where it is but i dont think i could manage an entry pass into the property..if any one else wants a shot..its located on the way from banani graveyard link road towards gulshan 2..so much for skepticism..lol..
We would appreciate if you could take some pictures from across the street and the surroundings, so that people familiar with the Banani area can easily tell it is Banani. BTW, do you know who owns it and the location address (house no., plot no., road no.)? Thanks so much. :)

Now that you mention it, I'm skeptical as well. We need somebody on the ground to go check it out and take some more pictures. Guys in Dhaka, any volunteers? :)

This house is definitely in Dhaka...its one of my fav ones actually.I am 100 percent sure that its located in Gulshan 2,not Banani.Its located near the Gulshan Park North where I used to go for a walk every now and then.Different styles of houses are popping up across Gulshan and Baridhara esply,I will be able to share some pics of some newly completed ones later this month.

This house is definitely in Dhaka...its one of my fav ones actually.I am 100 percent sure that its located in Gulshan 2,not Banani.Its located near the Gulshan Park North where I used to go for a walk every now and then.Different styles of houses are popping up across Gulshan and Baridhara esply,I will be able to share some pics of some newly completed ones later this month.
Like I said, I didn't think there were any open spaces left in that area, where there would be a single family home with no other (large) structures next to it (on either side). Do you know who owns it? Another reason for the skepticism is the US style garage complete with US style garage door (with the basketball hoop on top). Please provide the exact location so that I can check it out myself, next time I'm in Dhaka. Thanks.

^^ With both dd2402 and Mirza saying its in Dhaka, I don't have much doubt that it is. Other clues to it being there include the potted plants and the types of light fixtures on the lawn, the types of shrubs, and the palm tree in the background. The only places in US where one is likely to find palm trees in backyards are Florida, SoCal, and Hawaii...and the other characteristics are less common here.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik6/dhakaviews180.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik6/dhakaviews181.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik6/dhakaviews182-1.jpg


There is minimum space between buildings in most parts of Dhaka city like these buildings . No fresh air coming from windows , no day light .. only the walls are seen. At least these buildings have little space but there are several buildings where there is absolutely no space in between. I wonder how the people live in those luxurious slums !

There is minimum space between buildings in most parts of Dhaka city like these buildings . No fresh air coming from windows , no day light .. only the walls are seen. At least these buildings have little space but there are several buildings where there is absolutely no space in between. I wonder how the people live in those luxurious slums !
We can only hope that today's builders are being mindful of such aesthetics and need for ambiance. I would expect that in about a decade of so those closely cropped buildings will be torn down and replaced by more modern and spacious ones.

http://www.edailystar.com/contents/2011/2011_04_22/content_zoom/2011_04_22_3_3_b.jpg
http://www.edailystar.com/contents/2011/2011_04_22/content_zoom/2011_04_22_3_4_b.jpg

^^ and she was complaining about moving to such an "alishan" house..

^^ and she was complaining about moving to such an "alishan" house..

It's all about ego.

There's no swimming pool, buutttt there's a flooded driveway!

There's no swimming pool, buutttt there's a flooded driveway!

Perhaps the pool is in the back?

Is the tax payer paying the rent?

http://www.edailystar.com/contents/2011/2011_05_14/content_zoom/2011_05_14_1_13_b.jpg

a house in banani photo taken by someone else
http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz66/dd2402/23737462.jpg

This one looks like a house in the Philippines. The architecture and that basketball ring is familiar. :D

http://www.edailystar.com/contents/2011/2011_10_01/content_zoom/2011_10_01_3_10_b.jpg

Muhammed Aziz Khan Residence
Chairman (former) of Summit Group
Built 1992

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=2915

Rahman Residence
Paragon Group
Built 1994

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=3178

Architect Bashirrul Haq's Residence
Built 1981

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=2720

Aziz House
Built 1993

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=5799

Chowdhury Residence
Abu Sayeed Chowdhury
Former President of Bangladesh
Built 1980

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=1780

Gulshan Pride Apartment Complex
Built 1995

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=11788

Haque Residence
Rd 13, Baridhara
Built 2000

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=17303

Helal and Ruby Islam Residence
Built 1993

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=3104

Kalindi Apartments
Built 1989

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=2722

Kazedewan Apartment Building
Built 2002

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=10039

Mahmoud Residence
Built 2001

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=11791

Mizan Residence
Built 2004

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=17253

Nurun Nabi Residence
Built 1989

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=2927

Pavilion Apartment
Built 2002
Home of Architects Marina Tabassum and Kashef Mahboob Chowdhury

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=10041

Residence at Badda

http://archnet.org/library/images/thumbnails.jsp?location_id=6296

Apartments at Rd. 84, Hse. 1, Gulshan-2

http://www.ngcbd.com/images/Road-84-Apt-1.jpg

Apartments at Rd. 96, Hse. 10, Gulshan-2

http://www.ngcbd.com/images/gulshan-pride-1.jpg

Jethay Residence

http://www.systemarchitectsbd.com/thumbnail_images/Jethay_01.jpg

http://www.systemarchitectsbd.com/thumbnail_images/Jethay_04.jpg

http://www.systemarchitectsbd.com/thumbnail_images/Jethay_02.jpg

http://www.systemarchitectsbd.com/thumbnail_images/Jethay_03.jpg

Platinum Residence Apartments
Across from United Hospital in Gulshan-2

http://www.systemarchitectsbd.com/thumbnail_images/platinum_residence_01.jpg

http://www.systemarchitectsbd.com/thumbnail_images/platinum_residence_03.jpg

http://www.systemarchitectsbd.com/thumbnail_images/platinum_residence_02.jpg

http://www.systemarchitectsbd.com/thumbnail_images/platinum_residence_04.jpg

South Water Caress Baridhara

http://www.shatotto.com/overview.html?id=20

Alif Breeze Gulshan-2

http://www.shatotto.com/overview.html?id=18

Bay 48 Baridhara

http://www.shatotto.com/overview.html?id=17

South Water Garden Baridhara

http://www.shatotto.com/overview.html?id=16

South Wonder Dhanmondi

http://www.shatotto.com/overview.html?id=15

Meghna Residence Dhanmondi

http://www.shatotto.com/overview.html?id=14

Mizan Residence Gulshan

http://www.shatotto.com/overview.html?id=13

Karim Residence Gulshan

http://www.shatotto.com/overview.html?id=12

Gulfeshan Gulshan

http://www.shatotto.com/overview.html?id=11

Rangs Nilu Square Dhanmondi

http://www.shatotto.com/overview.html?id=22

^^ Wow, these projects look good!

^^ Wow, these projects look good!

Note: Most are already completed.

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7692/39252535088123497305110.jpg

Bashundhara Residence with their Rolls Royce Ghost :O

Bashundhara Residence with their Rolls Royce Ghost :O

Who owns this place? I feel for the Ghost as it has to share the road with rickety rickshaws and other lowly vehicles :master:

^^If its "Bahundhara" then the owner is Ahmed Akbar Sobhan AKA 'Shah Alam' - Bahundhara group chairman. I think only he and few others can afford a palace like house like this.

Who owns this place? I feel for the Ghost as it has to share the road with rickety rickshaws and other lowly vehicles :master:

This house along with the car belongs to one of the sons of Bashundhara Group chairman. This picture looks like something out of a mafia movie. Hard to believe this is actually Bangladesh. :nuts:

And yes in Bangladesh:

http://i48.tinypic.com/acd3q1.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/2rddu9z.jpg

Yes it has a moat and waterfall in the residence:

http://i46.tinypic.com/er0nc5.jpg

Interior canal inside the property:

http://i45.tinypic.com/x6ezdh.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/2ypj975.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/v2w5fs.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/2ue4e9i.jpg

Enjoy!!!:banana:

^^
What are the exact locations of these palatial house?

To be honest, it's all right for a person to be very rich and enjoy his or her wealth. God does not forbid a person to be wealthy as long as they are charitable and we should not be jealous of their successes. The problem is when the person is very ostentatious, especially in a poor country like ours, leading to speculations as to whether the wealth is ill gotten. People admire Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, the Waltons, etc. for a reason. They are billionaires many times over but also are the leading philanthropists of our generation.

To be honest, it's all right for a person to be very rich and enjoy his or her wealth. God does not forbid a person to be wealthy as long as they are charitable and we should not be jealous of their successes. The problem is when the person is very ostentatious, especially in a poor country like ours, leading to speculations as to whether the wealth is ill gotten. People admire Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, the Waltons, etc. for a reason. They are billionaires many times over but also are the leading philanthropists of our generation.

Mr Bill Gates earned my respect many times over after he left Microsoft.

If anyone could provide pictures of recently completed single-family houses in Baridhara-Gulshan-Banani area, much appreciated.

@ TI Islam - Bro this is located in Moulvibazar and has been built by a NRB.

@ TI Islam - Bro this is located in Moulvibazar and has been built by a NRB.

I don't mean any offence but most of the "palatial" homes in the Sylhet region carry a "khetness" in them. On the other hand Dhaka and even in some cases Chitagong have some houses that look pretty darn amazing :)

I don't mean any offence but most of the "palatial" homes in the Sylhet region carry a "khetness" in them. On the other hand Dhaka and even in some cases Chitagong have some houses that look pretty darn amazing :)

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

I don't mean any offence but most of the "palatial" homes in the Sylhet region carry a "khetness" in them. On the other hand Dhaka and even in some cases Chitagong have some houses that look pretty darn amazing :)

lol no offence taken bro and each to there own and as a sylheti i agree with your statement but each to there own i guess. :)